Lagos Assembly Faults Yoruba Leaders on Jonathan’s Re-election Bid

LAGOS State House of Assembly Wednesday faulted the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s second-term bid by some Yoruba leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as “another in a series of paid endorsements by President Jonathan.”

Jonathan's Security Management Scorecard

In Nigeria, just like in any other country in the world, public safety and the security of the citizenry is a top priority for politicians, specialist technocrats and members of the general public.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took charge of the affairs of the nation when it was bedeviled by the horrendous activities of militants in the Niger Delta, -- rampant armed robberies, pervasive incidents of murder and assassinations as well as other sundry crimes that created the feeling of a state of siege in much of the country.

The administration took steps to alter the situation for the better. It successfully tackled the militancy, restiveness and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. Besides deploying the military and other security forces to contain the activities of the militants, the administration took other steps side by side with the military operations.

Nigerians in London protest over ‘Autocratic Jonathan’

 

Innumerable Nigerians residents in London today flooded downing street London in protest over what they described as “President Goodluck Jonathan’s dictatorial tendencies.”

The protesters marched on where they presented a copy of their petition to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron
Details later.

Jonathan, Ministers may Approve Fresh N47bn Loan on Wednesday

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The minister of finance is seeking approval for a loan.


The weekly meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation, FEC, holding on Wednesday will discuss a memo to be presented by the Minister of Finance and Coordination for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, seeking the approval by members for Nigeria to take another $300 million (N47 billion) loan from the African Development Bank, ADB.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the loan facility would be utilised for the development of the transport sector, including the completion of the East-West Road project in the Niger-Delta region as well as for the ongoing economic governance reform programme in the country.

The federal government had already indicated its willingness to take loans to complete ongoing road projects.

The meeting is also expected to deliberate the on the Mid-term Report review and the First National Implementation Plan 2010 to 2013 of the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 Economic Transformation Blueprint to be presented by the Chairman, National Planning Commission, Shamsudeen Usman; who would also solicit members approval of Nigeria’s Presidency of the Leading Group on Innovative Financing for Development.

During the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina is expected to present a memorandum to propose the ratification of President Goodluck Jonathan’s anticipatory approval of the draft National Fertiliser Bill 2013, while Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina, would brief the Council on the outcome of the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of women at the UN Headquarters, held in New York in March 2013.

The Minister of Power, Chinedo Nebo, who would be briefing the Council on the progress and challenges facing his ministry, would also present a memorandum seeking the approval of the Council for the award of contract for the supply of Hitachi Generator Special tools to Jebba Hydro Electric PLC.

Reps To Simplify Impeachment Process Of President

A bill seeking to simplify the process, through which the President and Vice-President can be impeached on Tuesday, passed second reading in the House of Representatives.



Following a thorough debate on Tuesday, the bill which “seeks to remove ambiguities in the process of removal of the President from office on allegations of gross misconduct and to provide for a more transparent and democratic procedure for impeachment and other matters connected” passed despite spirited opposition by even most principal officers of the house.

The bill seeks to empower the lawmakers in the House of Representatives to initiate the impeachment process and investigate the allegations rather than the process lying solely with the Chief Justice of the federation.

Give President, Governors, Legislators Automatic Tickets: Anenih

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, governors and members of the National Assembly of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may get automatic tickets to run in the 2015 general elections.

This is, however, premised on the party accepting the suggestion by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, who said the automatic tickets could only be given to a sitting president and governors, who had performed creditably in office.

Boko Haram Leader’s Associate Killed – Army

A terrorist believed to be a close associate of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau has been found dead as he ran errand for the leadership.

According to a statement from the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, two fellow terrorists one of which is confirmed to be a Nigerian are now in the custody of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The statement which was signed by the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Christopher Olukolade said “the three were in the process of crossing the border to the neighbouring Niger republic through the Lake Chad.

“The three have been confirmed to have operated in Baga and participated in perpetrating arson and other atrocities around the vicinity of the town. They have been relocating from place to place since they left Baga last month.”

The statement further added that more troops of the police mobile force have joined the operations as more towns are being secured in the operations to rid the nation’s territories of terrorist activities.

Reps Oppose Jonathan’s plans To Use Adamawa, Borno, Yobe’s Allocations For Emergency Rule

The House of Representatives approved a resolution, Tuesday, insisting its earlier decision holds, mandating President Goodluck Jonathan to deploy only federal funds to administer the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.



This decision nullified part of a conference report it reached with the senate.
The new order will come into effect after a similar reversal is approved by the senate. The House has urged the senate to deliver a similar resolution.

The policy somersault came as governments of the affected states increasingly demonstrate impatience with the president’s initial plan which should see funds belonging to their three states and local government areas deployed unilaterally by the president.

The Adamawa state governor, Murtala Nyako, on Monday, threatened a legal action against the president if statutory funds belonging to the state were not released.

At the passage of the emergency gazette last week, while the senate agreed with the president’s plan to retain the powers to utilize funds belonging to those states, the House rebuffed the plan, and passed a version that gave Mr Jonathan strictly security powers.

The House insisted that administrative powers, which require financing, be retained by the state governors and the council heads.

A conference meeting by both chambers late last week jettisoned the House’s position, giving back that spending power to the president.

But the House rejected that provision on Tuesday, as its conference committee reported the amendment back to the plenary.

“The house resolves to delete and revoke completely section 3(2)(e) of the harmonized, adopted and approved Emergency Powers(general) regulations, 2013 by both houses of the National Assembly,” a motion passed Tuesday said.

The lengthy resolution said the House reverted to its initial position due to “public outcry and outright opposition by majority of Nigerians” especially indigenes of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The House also cited the “near consensus of opinion of senior advocates of Nigeria and constitutional lawyers on the constitutionality of the said section” as well as Supreme Court’s repeated rulings on the autonomy of the finances of states and local government areas.

“I will never allow the institution to be an institution of arrogance. We should avoid any position that is against the constitution,” Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal said.

Jonathan Too Busy To Be Interested In Governors’ Crisis - Fabian Ihekweme

A Public Affairs and Management Consultant, Fabian Ihekweme has defended President Goodluck Jonathan’s confession about his non-involvement in the Nigeria Governor’s Forum election and the crisis which now dominates the group.
 

He said he had to give the president the benefit of doubt, “I have to believe my president first,” he said.